Clarkesville officials honor Habersham responders

CLARKESVILLE - Several officials from the City of Clarkesville attended Monday night's Habersham County Commission meeting to acknowledge the contributions of county emergency personnel during the recent downtown fire.

Mayor Terry Greene, Councilwoman Barrie Aycock, Fire Chief Jerry Palmer and Fire Capt. Jonathan Knight made the presentation before the almost 100 people in attendance.

Greene read and presented a framed proclamation that honored members of the county fire department, emergency medical services and emergency management agency for their work during the March 5 fire that damaged or destroyed six businesses on the Clarkesville Square.

"I want to add a few things to what our proclamation says," Palmer told the commission. "That night, I thought I was going to have to add Commissioner [Natalie] Crawford to the command staff. Your county came out in full force to help us."

Palmer stressed that the 9-1-1 center staff was included in the EMA recognition.

"Thank you so much for making it possible and putting them in a position to come and help us that night," Palmer said. "The county is a great example of what automatic and mutual aid can accomplish - 83 personnel didn't come from one department.

"By your leadership and your support of [Habersham County Fire Chief Jeff Cain] and all your departments, that's the only way that this was possible - and it saved our town, and I thank you very much," Palmer said.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/4/274068